IntroductionIn 1464, Sultan Sunni Ali, ruler of the Songhai people, captured Timbuktu and brought the upper Niger river under his control.
The Songhai grew rich from trade across the Sahara,particularly trading gold, salt, nuts and slaves and soon was the largest of Africa's trading centers. The Songhai expanded trade to Europe and Asia, and established an elaborate system of taxation and communication to govern its large kingdom. |
Achievements and Advancements
The Songhai Empire was the largest African empire ever. They had many, many cultures under their rule; thousands to be more precise. The Empire was the largest under the Emperor Askia Muhammad. At their largest time the Songhai Empire had an army of 35,000 soldiers.The urban areas were mostly Islamic, however, the rural areas were a mixture of religions. 97% kept their traditional religions. There were Qadis in control of the justice systems. The Qadis were Muslim judges. The Songhai had a standard for currency, measurements, and weights.
Culture (language, Religion, and Art)
Songhai languages are said to be the first languages to be developed in the region of the Nilo-Saharan. Songhai languages are spoken by 3 million people still today, for the most part, along the Niger River, in the Republics of Mali, Niger, and Benin. Songhai is well known for weaving blankets and mats called “terabeba” these elaborated blankets feature geometric designs.
Leadership
Under the leader Askia Muhammad (defeated Sultan Sunni Ali's son), who ruled for 37 years the Songhai Empire grew. He made Gao the capitol and appointed directors of finance, justice, agriculture, water, and forests.
He divided the empire into provinces and appointed a governor to each. He created a permanent paid army and set up a tax system. He made Islam the official religion of the empire. He also created regulations about Islam, so it would be practiced correctly. This had the side effect of making Islam less popular. His reign ended badly; even before he died his sons were fighting over control of the empire. |
Economics
Songhai Empire was considered the leader in the Trans-Saharan trade system and had domination in the commodities salt and gold. Salt was a precious commodity, sometimes as valuable as gold. Songhai had dominance in the slave commerce.
The main trading points are located in ports along the Niger River. These ports had the protection of the State. The currency was standardized within the Empire’s land, so Songhai economy could be homogenized (make the same). Taxes were paid by each province of the Empire and taxes were also charged over the trade going through the Kingdom of Songhai.
The main trading points are located in ports along the Niger River. These ports had the protection of the State. The currency was standardized within the Empire’s land, so Songhai economy could be homogenized (make the same). Taxes were paid by each province of the Empire and taxes were also charged over the trade going through the Kingdom of Songhai.
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Demise
Despite its riches and power, the kingdom of Songhai lasted only about 100 years. In 1591, the ruler of Morocco, hearing of Songhai's wealth, invaded West Africa. Although the Songhai army was larger, the Moroccans used gunpowder and muskets to defeat the Songhai, who fought with arrows and spears. The fall of the Songhai marked the end of the great West African Kingdoms before the arrival of Europeans.
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Document 1:
Leo Africanus, an Arab traveler visited Timbuktu in the Kingdom of Songhay early in the 1500s and left this description of that city.
"However there is a most stately temple to be seene, the wals (walls) whereof are made of stone and lime; and a princely palace also built by a most excellent workeman of Granada.
Here are many shops of artificers, and merchants, and especially of such as weaue (weave) linen and cotton cloth. And hither (toward a place) do the Barbarie (West Africans) merchants bring cloth of Europe. All the women of the region except maidservants go with their faces couered (covered), and sell all necessarie victuals (food).
The inhabitants, & especially strangers there residing, are exceeding rich, insomuch that the king that now is, maried both his daughters to two rich merchants."
Leo Africanus The History and Description of Africa pp. 824-825
Leo Africanus, an Arab traveler visited Timbuktu in the Kingdom of Songhay early in the 1500s and left this description of that city.
"However there is a most stately temple to be seene, the wals (walls) whereof are made of stone and lime; and a princely palace also built by a most excellent workeman of Granada.
Here are many shops of artificers, and merchants, and especially of such as weaue (weave) linen and cotton cloth. And hither (toward a place) do the Barbarie (West Africans) merchants bring cloth of Europe. All the women of the region except maidservants go with their faces couered (covered), and sell all necessarie victuals (food).
The inhabitants, & especially strangers there residing, are exceeding rich, insomuch that the king that now is, maried both his daughters to two rich merchants."
Leo Africanus The History and Description of Africa pp. 824-825